| BOCA RATON, Fla. – Miami scored the night’s lone goal early in the second half and held off Florida Atlantic University women’s soccer on Sunday night at Cobb Stadium, winning by that 1-0 score. The Beginning Neither team dented the back of the net before the break, with each side at that point taking three shots. The Turning Point: Miami (1-0) needed just 2:46 into the second half to break the scoreless tie. The Finish: The Owls’ (1-1) best chance to equalize came in a flurry in the 68th minute. On a one-on-one, Bri Austin saw her first shot knocked away, and the rebound as well, by the UM goalkeeper. The ball ricocheted to Miracle Porter, but her putback attempt was blocked by a Hurricane defender, and eventually the ball was cleared away. Three other FAU shots in the final minutes were off target as well. Notables: Austin paced the team for the second straight match in shots, with three. Gi Krstec and Porter had two apieceOn a hot and humid South Florida night – with mandatory water breaks – 20 Owls saw the pitch, with just goalkeeper Amit Cohen and defenders Amanda Martin and Jodi Smith on for the entiretyFAU outshot UM in the second half, 7-2, and doubled the Canes up all told, 10-5 Quotable: “We talked at halftime about if everybody played a couple of percentage (points better), the complexion would change a little bit,” said head coach Patrick Baker. “We also knew that in a 45-minute game, the first goal was going to mean so much. Unfortunately, we fouled them, gave up a set piece, didn’t deal well with the set piece very well at all, and ultimately it ends up in the back of the net. And that ended up the goal of the game.” What’s Next: The Owls return home for their first match at FAU Soccer Stadium, taking on Loyola this upcoming Friday, Aug. 27. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. |
